Building a wooden tray table with folding legs is a great project for both beginners and experienced woodworkers. It combines practicality with creativity, allowing you to craft a functional piece of furniture that is easy to store and transport. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to build one from scratch.
Materials Needed:
- Wooden Boards: Choose hardwood or softwood based on preference. Common choices are pine, oak, or walnut.
- For the tabletop: 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick wood
- For the legs: 1 inch to 1.5 inches thick wood
- Wood Glue
- Wood Screws or Nails
- Hinges: To make the legs foldable
- Wood Finish (Optional): For polishing and protecting your project
- Sandpaper or Sanding Block
- Wood Stain or Paint (Optional): To give the tray table a personalized look
- Tools: Saw, drill, measuring tape, screwdriver, clamps, wood clamps, and a square
Step 1: Cutting the Wood
Start by cutting your pieces of wood to the correct dimensions.
Tabletop: Measure and cut your tabletop piece. A typical tray table has a square or rectangular top. For instance, a size of 18 x 24 inches is common, but you can adjust the size based on your needs.
Legs: For the legs, you will need four pieces. The length of the legs depends on the height you want for your table. A typical height for a tray table is around 18–20 inches. Cut four legs to this length, ensuring they are all the same size.
Leg Support Pieces: You’ll need two crossbars to help stabilize the legs when they fold. These should be the same length as the distance between two opposing legs when folded.
Step 2: Sanding the Wood
Before assembling, use sandpaper or a sanding block to smooth all the edges and surfaces of the cut wood. Sanding removes rough spots and gives your tray table a clean, polished finish. It also helps your wood stain or paint to adhere better.
Step 3: Attaching the Legs to the Tabletop
Mark the Position of the Legs: On the underside of your tabletop, mark where the legs will be attached. Typically, the legs are placed near the four corners of the tabletop but slightly in from the edges.
Attach the Hinges: Attach one side of each hinge to the inside of the table’s corners. Be sure to use screws that are long enough to secure the hinge but not so long that they go through the tabletop.
Step 4: Installing the Folding Mechanism
To make the legs foldable, the hinges will allow them to pivot. But you need additional support for stability when the legs are extended.
Crossbars for Stability: Attach the two crossbars between the two pairs of legs. These bars will be placed about halfway down the length of the legs to provide extra strength and to help the legs remain stable when in use.
Hinge Placement: Attach a hinge to the top of each leg (or a pair of legs) and then connect the hinge to the corresponding part of the tabletop’s underside. Ensure the hinge allows the legs to fold inward.
Step 5: Securing the Legs
- Drill Pilot Holes: Before screwing the legs into place, drill pilot holes to avoid splitting the wood.
- Screw the Legs: Once you’ve placed the hinges and crossbars in the correct positions, screw the legs into place. Make sure they are aligned properly and securely fastened.
Step 6: Finishing the Tray Table
Once the legs are attached and can fold smoothly, the finishing touches come into play.
Stain or Paint: If you want to give your tray table a specific look, you can stain or paint the wood. Make sure to let the stain or paint dry completely before using the table.
Finish with Wood Sealer: Applying a protective wood sealer will help preserve the wood’s natural color and protect it from moisture, scratches, and general wear and tear.
Step 7: Testing the Folding Mechanism
Before calling it finished, make sure the folding mechanism works smoothly. Test out the legs to ensure they can fold and unfold without too much resistance and that they remain stable when in use.
Final Touches
Now that the wooden tray table is assembled and finished, you can personalize it even more. Adding handles to the sides of the tray for ease of carrying is a nice touch. You could also upholster the underside of the tray for added comfort or a more luxurious look.
With the folding legs, your tray table is portable, easy to store, and perfect for a variety of uses—whether for serving snacks, working in a cozy corner, or even as a small bedside table.
If you’re new to woodworking or want to improve your skills, consider checking out Teds Woodworking Course for more detailed plans and tips. This course will guide you through hundreds of projects, offering precise blueprints and step-by-step instructions to help you perfect your craft.